Hydrogen production by steam reforming of ethanol over mesoporous Ni–Al2O3–ZrO2 aerogel catalyst

A mesoporous Ni–Al2O3–ZrO2 aerogel (Ni–AZ) catalyst was prepared by a single-step epoxide-driven sol–gel method and a subsequent supercritical CO2 drying method. For comparison, a mesoporous Al2O3–ZrO2 aerogel (AZ) support was prepared by a single-step epoxide-driven sol–gel method, and subsequently, a mesoporous Ni/Al2O3–ZrO2 aerogel (Ni/AZ) catalyst was prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method. The effect of preparation method on the physicochemical properties and catalytic activities of Ni–AZ and Ni/AZ catalysts was investigated. Although both catalysts retained a mesoporous structure, Ni/AZ catalyst showed lower surface area than Ni–AZ catalyst. From TPR, XRD, and H2–TPD results, it was revealed that Ni–AZ catalyst retained higher reducibility and higher nickel dispersion than Ni/AZ catalyst. In the hydrogen production by steam reforming of ethanol, both catalysts showed a stable catalytic performance with complete conversion of ethanol. However, Ni–AZ catalyst showed higher hydrogen yield than Ni/AZ catalyst. Superior textural properties, high reducibility, and high nickel surface area of Ni–AZ catalyst were responsible for its enhanced catalytic performance in the steam reforming of ethanol.